Electrical switch and control circuit therefor



May 9, 1933.

J.C.BOGLE ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Filed NOV. 19, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 QfOfi/V 6150645.

@a ma //%WW y 1933- J. c. BOGLE 1,908,009

ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 19. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 42 44 JOHN C, BOGLE.

Patented May 9, 1933 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN C. BOG-LE, OF RIVER FOREST, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO MINNEAPOLIS-HONEYWELL REGULATOR COMPANY, OF MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA,

A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE ELECTRICAL SWITCH AND CONTROL CIRCUIT THEREFOR Application filed November 19, 1927.

This invention relates to an electrical switch and a control circuit therefor and has special reference to an electrical switch and a low voltage control and safety circuit therefor.

More particularly, this invention relates to an electrical switch in a safety control circuit as used for controlling the operation of force feed heating systems and the like, as for example, forthe purpose of heating the boiler or furnace, a burner is employed which is supplied with fuel through a conduit to be opened and closed at will through automatic means such as a pump operated by an electrical motor or valve operated by electromagnets or otherwise.

With reference to an automatic heating sys-- tem of the force feed type, the controls therefor may comprise a room thermostatic switch for directing the generation of heat in a room or other enclosure in order to guard against excessive variations in the temperaturetherein; a thermostatic switch for directing the specific limits of pressure or temperature to be obtained by the boiler or furnace; and other controls which, in the event of failure of the controls previously recited to promote or sustain desirable conditions of combustion within the furnace or boiler when actuated upon by these aforementioned controls, terminate the operation of the system. These latter controls, will hereinafter be referred to as safety controls.

The present invention includes an assembly of all of the aforementioned controls in a low voltage circuit for use in heating systems, and particularly those systems wherein the burners employ split phase motors for forcing I the fuel to the burner, these motors having a relatively slow period of starting, that is, a long interval after the motor has been energized before the starting switch has opened due to' the attainment of the necessary speed. It will be noted that this control circuit is particularly applicable to force feed oil burners, the advantage being that such a control, as will hereinafter be described, is more or less independent of current consumption in the motor. F

The electrical switch, as embodied in this Serial No. 234,340.

invention, comprises a pull coil and a hold coil for operating a pair of tiltable switches, one of said switches being adapted to control the fuel supply to the burner and the other being adapted to control the ignition for the fuel supply. The pull coil and hold coil are not of the same value, the pull coil being of suflicient power to operate both of the tiltable switches to change their circuit connections, whereas the hold coil is unable to overcome the weights of the mechanisms of both of the switch members and one of the switches is permitted to operate back into its original position and original circuit connection, while the other retains its changed circuit connection. These coils are operated and controlled by a low voltage circuit obtained through a constant current transformer, or commonly known as a leaky transformer, whereby an electrical supply is obtained of nearly invariable voltage.

For a more complete understandingof the characteristic features of this invention, reference may now be had to the description and drawings forming a part of this specification, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the electrical switch embodied in this invention;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 1 showing the easing in section;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary View similar to Fig. 1 showing the various positions into which the switching mechanism may be operated;

switch comprises a casing 10 having a cover 11 preferably pivotally secured thereto. The casing 10 may be formed of sheet metal or any other desirable material and has a mounting plate 12 secured to the rear wall thereof and in a spaced relation therewith. The operating mechanism of the switch is secured particularly to Fig. 1--thereof, the electrical to the mounting plate 12 in order to facilitate the assembly of the mechanism.

A tiltable mercury contactor switch 13 is mounted in a clip 14 which latter is in turn fixedly mounted on an arm 15. One end of the arm 15 is pivotal'ly secured as by means of the screw 16 to the mounting plate 12, the free end of the arm 15, resting on a stop 17. The arm 15 is slightly inclined to the right in its-normal resting position in order to cause the mercury to remain on the right-hand side in the contactor tube.

The contactor 13 is of the usual type comprising a hermetically sealed glass container aving a pair of spaced cooperating electrodes disposed at the left-hand end thereof, the mercury in the contactor being adapted to bridge the electrodes when the contactor is tilted to one of its positions. This con tactor. will hereinafter be referred to as the ignition switch as the electrodes therein are connected to the ignition means in the control stem as will hereinafter be more fully escribed.

An electromagnet 18 substantially of the horseshoe type is fixedly secured to the mounting plate 12 by suitable means such as the screws 19. The electromagnet comprises a substantiall U-shaped core member preferably forme of iron laminations. A pair of coils 20 and 21 are disposed on the vertically extending arms 22 and 23, respectively, of the .U-shaped core member, the upper ends of these arms being curved and having a common radius; The coil 20 will hereinafter be referred to as a pull coil and the coil 21 will hereinafter be referred to as a hold coil because of their eneral characteristics which will hereinafterie more fully described.

An armature 24, which may preferably be made of iron laminations although it may be feast in a single piece, is disposed above the ends of the ,vertically extending arms 22 and 23 and centrally thereof, the armature being pivotally mounted on the mounting plate 12 and the center therefor coinciding with the center of the radiiof the curved upper end portions of the and 23.

The normal inoperative position of the armature 24 is shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, one end 25 thereof being a substantially greater distance away from its coacting member 22 than the other end 26 is from its coacting member 23, and the end 25 occupying a position on the right side of the arm 22, while the other end 26 occupies a position on the right side of its corresponding arm 23. A projecting member 27 is secured to the armature 24 adjacent the end 25 thereof for coacting with the arm 15 of the ignition switch. It will be noted that the top of the projecting member 27 in Fig. 1 is a substantial distance below the arm 15.

- A mercury contactor tube 28 is disposed on vertically extending arms 22 the armature 24 and is of the usual type comprising a hermetically sealed glass container having a pair of spaced cooperating electrodes at the right-hand end thereof and a body of current conducting fluid, such as mercury, for making-and-breaking'the electrical circuit therethrough. The contactor 28 is inserted in a clip 29 which latter may be adj usta-bly secured to the'armature. Thenormal inoperative position of this switch, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, permits the mercury in the contactor tube to remain at the left-hand end thereof out of engagement with the electrodes.

In the operation of the electrical switch just described, when the pull coil 20 is energized, sufficient power is obtained for the electromagnet to rotate the armature 24 to a position such that the lines of force thread through the end 22 of the electromagnet into the end 25 of the armature 24 to complete the magnetic field through the core 18 and the armature 24. In this operation, the project ing member 27 abuts the arm 15 to raise the ignition switch and make an electrical circuit through the contactor 13. This position is shown in B of Fig. 3 of the drawings, wherein both the contactor 13 and the contactor 28 are in a closed circuit position.

When the pull coil 20 is deenergized and the hold coil 21 is energized, the latter is unable to overcome the combined weightsof the armature 24 and the ignition switch, whereby the latter are both permitted to drop back toward the position from which they had been moved by the pull coil until the arm 15 rests on the stop member 17. Having been relieved of the weight of the ignitionswitch, the hold coil has sufiicient power to hold the armature 24 in a position such as is shown in C of Fig. 3 of the drawings, wherein the ignition switch 13 is open and the contactor 28 remains in a closed circuit position.

lVhen the hold coil 21 is deenergized, the armature 24 is permitted to drop by its own weight to a position such as is shown in A of Fig. 3, or its normal inoperative position. After the hold coil 21 has'been deenergized, it will be found incapable of attracting the armature 24 to close the circuit throug the contactor 28, which is the main 7 or motor switch,'upon having a supply of energy restored thereto.

It is to be particularly noted in the above described construction that a definite midway position has been established between the limits of movement of the main switch 28 by means of the stop member 17 which latter not only limits the downward movement of the arm 15 and the contactor mounted thereon, but also limits the upward movement of the armature 24. This construction, therefore, obviates the necessity of determining an actual apportionment of the pull of the magnetic flux topoise the main switch in space A heat coil 52, mounted on the mounting plate 12, is of the self-soldering type of the general character shown in United States Patents, No. 817,160 to Cook and No. 997,838 to Leeper. The resistance element of the heat coil is mounted in a cup-shaped member 52a, having a ratchet member for engaging and holding a spring member in conducting relation with the support for the cup-shaped member. An insulating plunger 52?) in the latter support holds a pair of, contact members 520 in electrical conducting relation with each other. These various members are suitably insulated from each other.

When the resistance element is subjected to an electrical current for an undue length of time, the heat therefrom causes the fusible material of the self-soldering joint in the cup-shaped member to melt and to release the ratchet. The spring member is thus released from its conducting relation with its coacting supporting member which action permits the plunger 52b to break the conducting relation between the contacting members 52c.

Referring now to Fig. 4 of the drawings, a safety control circuit for a system such as a force feeding heating system is therem shown having a motor 30 for feeding the fuel to the burners and an ignition means 31 for igniting the fuel thus delivered. The electrical devices represented in this control c1rcu1t comprise a pressure switch 32 for installation on a steam or vapor boiler, a stack sw tch 33 for installation in the stack of a boiler or furnace and a-room thermostat 34 for installation in a room or other enclosure to obtain a constant temperature therein. These electrical devices will now be spec fically described, whereafter their operationin the control circuit will be recited.

The thermostatically operated room s w1tc h 34 comprises a mounting base to which is secured a bracket 35 having a thermostatic element 36 mounted thereon of the expansible and contractible bellows type. One end of the bellows 36 contacts with an actuating arm 37 pivoted at its lower end, the upper or free end thereof being secured to a tiltably mounted mercury tube contactor 38 of the usual type having a pair of spaced cooperating elec trodes at one end thereof and a body of mercury therein for making-and-breaking an electrical circuit therethrough. The bellows 36 are filled with a highly volatile fluid which renders the bellowssensitive to the slightest temperature change. Upon an expansion and contraction of the bellows 36, the actuating arm 37 is moved and causes the switch 38, to which it is connected to tilt and to open or close the electrical circuit therethrough.

The thermostatically operated stack switch 33 forms a part of the safety control of the system and comprises a casing having a tiltable mercury contactor tube 39 disposed therein and mounted on a rod extending through the casing; ,The rod is actuated by means of a helical bimetallic element, or any other suitable thermostatic means whereby a rotation of the rod may be obtained. The switch 33 is mounted on the stack-of the heating unit and is actuated by the heat of combustion therefrom. The operation of this device is more clearly illustrated and described in a copending application, filed December 17, 1925, bearing Serial No. 75,895, to which reference may be had for a more detailed description pf the operation thereof.

The contactor 39 comprises a hermetically sealed glass container having two pair of spaced cooperating electrodes disposed therein and a body of current conducting fluid such as mercury. One pair of cooperating electrodes is disposed adjacent each end of the container, the inner electrodes of each pair being connected together. This switch is of the type commonly called a single pole double-throw switch having a common terminal 40 connected to the inner electrodes of each pair of coacting electrodes 41 and 42. The remaining electrodes will be designated 'as 43 and 44.

By referring now to A of Fig. 5 of the 1 drawings, a position is shown in which the electrode 41 is connected to the electrode 43 by means of the current conducting fluid contained in the contactor. By assuming that a combustion has taken place in the burner or boiler, the bimetallic element or thermostatic means mounted in the-stack actuates the rod to tilt the contact-or 39 to a position such as is shown in B of Fig. 5, wherein an electrical circuit is completed through each pair of coacting-contacts by means of the mercury extending across substantially the entire length of the tube. A further rotation of the actuating rod to tilt the contactor 39 will obtain a position such as is shown in C of Fig. 5 wherein the mercury is caused to bridge the electrodes 42 and 44 to complete an electrical circuit therethrough. This construction will hereinafter be referred to as an overlapping switch for reasons which, as has been described, are apparent.

The pressure operated boiler switch 32 comprises a casing mounted on a diaphragm chamber. A diaphragm 45 is extended between the flanged' portions to form an upper and lower chamber 46 and 47, the lower chamber 47 forming a pressure chamber into which pressure is admitted through the conduit 48, A mercury tube contactor 49 is pivotally mounted within the casing and comprises the usual sealed container having spaced cooperating electrodes disposed therein and a body of current conducting fluid in order to make-and-break an electrical circuit therethrough. The contactor 49 is tilted by means of a vertically disposed member 50 having a link extending to be secured to an arm extending from a pivotal mounting of the contactor. The actuator has a substantially horior lower the vertically extending member in engagement with the actuator 50 to tilt the contactor 49 in a direction to make-or-break an electrical circuit therethrough.

The pull and hold coils 20 and 21, respectively, are energized by the overlapping stack switch 33 and are fed with energy from the secondary of a constant current or leaky transformer 51, the primary of which is constantly across the 110 volt line. The low voltage obtained from the leaky transformer 1s used to operate the pull and hold coils through the low pressure stack switch 33 and the low voltage room thermostatic switch 34. The leaky transformer 51 is well known in the art and comprises a transformer, the arm of which is completely saturated at the lowest voltage which could be applied to the primary of the transformer, and the additional flux due .to increase of primary voltage overthe saturated point is shunted around a leakage path.

In combination with the electrical devices just described in the lower voltage circuit, resistance element of the low voltage heat coil 52, previously described in detail, is connected in series with the pull coil winding, and the contact members 520 thereof are arranged to break the common wire 40 of the overlapping stack switch leading to both pull coil and hold coil. The motor 30, the main switch 28 and the pressure operated boiler switch 32 are connected in series in the high voltage line as is the ignition switch 13 and the ignition means 31. Assuming that the temperature in the room has dropped, the pressure in the boiler is low and therefore the contactor 49 is in a closed circuit position. Also the contactor 38 of the room thermostatic switch is in a closed circuit position and the contactor -39 of the stack switch is in a cold position with the mercury to the left of the tube completing an electrical circuit'through the electrodes 41 and 43, therebeing no combustion in the boiler or furnace. The ignition 31, resistance element of the heat coil 52, the

pull coil 20 and back to the other side of the secondary. The pull coil 20 being energ zed, attracts the armature 24 to a second position such as is shown in B of Fig. 3, wherein an electrical circuit is obtained through both the contactors 13 and 28. An electrical circuit now exists from one side of the highvoltagc line through the motor, contactor 28, the contactor 49 of the pressure operated boiler switch.32 back to the other side of the line to operate the fuel supply. At the saine time, an electrical circuit is obtained from one side of the high voltage line through the ignition switch 13 and the ignition means 31 to the other side of the line to ignite the fuel fed to the burners by means of the motor 30.

If a proper combustion is obtained in the boiler, the contactor 39 will eventually move to a hot position with the mercury to the right in the tube, whereby an electrical circuit will exist from one side of the secondary of the transformer 51 through the contactor 38, the contact members 520 of the heat coil 52, the common terminal 40, electrodes 42 and 44 through the hold coil 21 and back to the other side of the secondary of the transformer. As

- hereinbefore stated, insuflicient power is obtained through the hold coil 21 to hold the armature 24 and the ignition switch 13 in their raised positions as shown in B of Fig. 3 and the ignition switch 13 is permitted to drop to a position such as is shown in C of Fig. 3, wherein the mercury flows away from the electrodes of the ignition switch and breaks the electrical circuit through the ignition means 31. However, the contactor 28 is permitted to rest in a position such that the mercury remains bridged across the electrodes therein in order to continue the opera tion of the motor 30.

Inasmuch as the hold coil 21 is not of sufficient strength to raise the armature 24' to the position as'shown in C of Fig. 3, it is necessary that the hold coil be energized before the pull coil 20 is deenergized and this action is obtained by the overlapping stack switch as hereinbefore pointed out and illustrated in B of Fig. 5 of the drawings.

When a predetermined temperature has been obtained in the room, the bellows 36 of the room thermostatic control 34 will actuate the arm 37 to tilt the contactor 38 to a position such that the electrical circuit is broken therethrough. This action, of course, breaks the electrical circuit through the hold coil 21 and deenergizes the same to rmit the armature 24 to drop to its normal inoperative position such as is illustrated in Fig. 1 and A of Fig. 3 of the drawings. The electrical circuit through the contactor 28 is thus broken, thereby discontinuing the operatlon of the motor 30 and terminating the fuel supply to the burner. As there is no combustion in the furnace thereafter, the contactor 39 of the stack switch 33 will tilt to a cold position with the mercury to the left as the thermostatic element contracts to rotate the tube upon which the contactor 39 is mounted.

However, should proper combustion not ditions, the contactor 39 of the stack switch 33 remains in a cold position as the thermostatic element will not be heated to actuate the rod upon which the contactor 39 is mounted.

vAs a consequence thereof, the current sup-.

plied to the pull'coil 20 will continue to flow through the resistance element of the heat coil 52 for an undue length of time and thus cause the resistance element to open the contact members 520 of heat coil 52, thereby deenergizing the pull coil which terminates the operation of the motor 30 and the ignition means 31.

'By reason of the varying conditions of voltage to which an oil burner safety apparatus is subjected, low voltage control of such heating systems has not been successful to any great degree so far as this applicant is aware, and a satisfactory time tolerance of the safety thermal release has not been successfully obtained. However, the present invention provides for a means for minimizing the variations of voltage and consequent variations of heat in the resistor of the low voltage circuit of the safety thermal release by means of the leaky transformer.

' fined intermediate point in the positioning of the armature for operating the high voltage switches has been obtained in the low voltage circuit, the armature being actuated by a pair of low voltage magnetic coils controlled by means of a thermally operated overlapping stack switch.

While but a single embodiment of this invention is herein shown and described, it is obvious that various modifications thereof may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this 4 invention, and, therefore, it is desired that the same be limited only by the scope of the 'appended claims and the prior art.

I claim:

1. An electrical control circuit comprising a main switch in a circuit of relatively high voltage, a constant current transformer having its primary winding connected to said high voltage circuit and furnishing a constant current of low voltage in its secondary circuit, automatic means in said secondary cir- Further, a well de-.

said secondary circuit for controlling said automatic means.

3. An electrical control circuit comprising a main switch in a circuit of relatively high voltage, a constant current transformer having its primary winding connected to said high voltage circuit and furnishing a constant current of low voltage in'its secondary circuit, magneticmeans in said secondary circuit for actuating said main switch, and a thermally operated overlapping switch in said secondary circuit for controlling the energization of said magnetic means.

4:. An electrical control circuit comprising a main switch in a circuit of relatively high voltage, a constant current transformer hav ing its primary winding connected to said high voltage circuit and furnishing a constant current of low voltage in its secondary circuit, magnetic means in said secondary circuit for actuating said main switch, a single ole double-throw switch in said secondary. clrcuit for controlling the energization of said magnetic means, and a normally inoperative means in said secondary circuit responsive to abnormal energization of said magnetic means for opening said control circuit.

5. An electrical control circuit comprising a main switch in a circuit of relatively high voltage, a constant current transformer having its primary winding connected to said highvoltage circuit and furnishlng a constant current. of low voltage in its secondary circuit, magnetic means in said secondary circuit for actuating said main switch, a slngle pole dou ble-throw switch in said secondary circuit for controlling the energization of said magnetic means, and a normally inoperative means in series with said magnetic means and responsive to abnormal energization thereof for breaking the electrical circuit through the common terminal of said single pole doublethrow switch.

6. An electrical control circuit com rising a main switch'in a circuit of relative y hig voltage, a constant current transformer, an electromagnet comprising a pair of coils connected in circuit with the secondary of said transformer for actuating said main switch, a thermally operated single pole double-throw switch in said secondary circuit for controlling the energization of said coils, and means in series with said coils and responsive to abnormal energization thereof for breaking the circuit through the common terminal of said single pole double-throw switch.

7'. In a device of the character described, a pair of tiltable switches, an'armature upon which one of said tiltable switches is mounted, a projection on said armature for engaging the other of said tiltable switches, a pull coil for actuating said armature to actuate said switches into a changed circuit position, and a hold coil for actuating said armature to actuate said switches into a second changed position whereby a second circuit obtained in one of said switches.

8. In a device of the character described, an armature, a tiltable switch mounted on said armature, a pivotally mounted arm, a

position is second tiltable switch mounted on said arm,

a common terminal whereb an electrical circuit is completed through th of said pairs of electrodes during a period of actuation of said contactor to energize both of said coils simultaneously.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

JOHN G. BOGLE.

change the circuit connections therein, said hold coil actuating said armature to tilt said switches to obtain a second changed position through one of said switches.

9. In a device of the character described, an armature, a tiltable switch mounted on said armature, a pivotally mounted arm, a

second tiltable switch mounted on said arm,

means on said armature for engagement with the free end of said arm, and an electromagnet comprising a pull coil and a hold coil, said pull coil having suificient energy to actuate both of said tiltable switches whereby a change of circuit connections is obtained therethrough, said hold having insufiicient energy to actuate both of said switches whereby a second change of circuit connection is obtained in one of said switches.

10. In a device of the character described, an armature, a tiltable switch mounted on said armature, a pivotally mounted arm, a second tiltable switch mounted on said arm, means on said armature for engagement with the free end of said arm, a stop for limiting the downward movement of said arm, said switches normally occupying an open circuit position, an electromagnet comprising a pull coil and a hold coil, said pull coil having sufficient energy to actuate said armature to tilt both of said switches to a closed circuit position, said hold coil having insuflicient energy to hold said armature in said changed position whereby said arm is caused to rest on said stop to open the circuit throu h said tiltable switch thereon while the ot er of said switches remains in a closedcircuit position.

11. An electrical control circuit com rising a main switch in a circuit of relatively high voltage, a transformer, an electromagnet comprising a pair of coils connected in circuit with the secondary of said trans former for actuating said main switch, and a thermally operated tiltable contactor in said low voltage circuit, said contactor conrprising a hermetically sealed container having-a pair of spaced cooperating electrodes disposed therein at each end thereof and a body of current conducting fluid therein for bridging said electrodes, one pair of said electrodes controlling the energization of one of said coils and the other pair of electrodes controlling the energization of the other of said coils, one elect-rode of each pair having 

